Re: [Linux-aus] Microsoft Office 2003 lock-in via DRM

[Chris Samuel <chris@csamuel.org>]

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On Monday 08 Sep 2003 12:40 pm, Con Zymaris wrote:

> There is a decent opportunity here. To point out just two weaknesses
> (fears?) with this Microsoft system:
>
>  1) Microsoft-centric security. Last time this was attempted was
>     Passport, and an open consortia responded with an alternative which
>     become more popular. Passport was de-emphasised by Microsoft as a
>     result.
>
>  2) Microsoft controls the keys. Many large organisations have shown
>     themselves to be increasingly wary of this kind of infrastructure.

There is a rather nice article from the BBC on why this will be a bad thing:

	http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3089746.stm

> As this technology requirement is new, and Microsoft themselves will need
> to sell it into its own existing (and inertia-bound) client-base, there
> is an opportunity to quickly respond with an alternative infrastructure.

Agreed

> GPG (or whatever) embedded in OpenOffice.org/OASIS may be that viable
> alternative.  What's needed is speedy response and viable vision of any
> such alternative.

When I wrote my message about a week ago on doing just this I hoped I could 
get in contact with the OASIS people about suggesting this (if it's not 
already been thought of), but, alas, work got in the way and pushed it out of 
my immediate mind.

If there is anyone on the OASIS Office list at:

	http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=office

who could forward my earlier email regarding this I'd be most grateful!

I notice though that you have to pay US$250 to get into this club!

Chris
- -- 
 Chris Samuel  :  http://csamuel.org/  :  Melbourne, VIC

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